If the buzz is to be believed the Congress and MJP are said to be working together to defeat BJP in the Gujarat civic polls or atleast prevent it from getting a complete majority.
Even as the BJP battles dissent over selection of candidate for the upcoming civic polls, a friendship between its rivals may prove costly for the party. If the buzz is to be believed the Congress and MJP are said to be working together to defeat BJP in the civic polls or at least prevent it from getting a complete majority.
Both parties are trying to help each-other in those wards where the margin of victory is expected to be very thin. The political scenario is very unpredictable in Surat this election, with all the three main parties - BJP, Congress and MJP, filing nominations for all 114 seats.
The secret friendship sources say is on work in many wards like Varachha, Katargam, Adajan, Rander, Amroli, Ved, Limbayat & Bhatena, Pandesara, Bhestan and Shahpore, where the vote bank of both the parties are quite similar.
To prevent diversion of votes both parties are believed to be working with each other through back channels. For example, where the chance of a Congress candidate is strong, MJP may stay from intensive canvassing and vice-a-versa. "If this happens, both parties could win more seats this election as it is likely to reduce competition. Moreover, they can thus concentrate on defeating the BJP or reducing its margin instead of fighting each other," a top politician from Surat said.
He said that in 2005, MJP and Congress candidates received good response in majority of wards, but they could not emerge as winners. But this time, it could be a master stroke for both the parties, said the leader. Sources within Congress said that city Congress president Shambu Prajapati has maintained good relations with Fakir Chauhan, city MJP president. Both leaders are in constant touch with each-other, discussing strategies for contesting elections.
Both parties want to increase their presence in SMC and so have decided to work closely, but silently. BJP on the contrary seems to be in the dark about any such 'political friendship', between its rivals. Party leaders are busy settling dissent that erupted in many wards, after selection of candidates.
Despite meetings and assurances by top leaders, dissatisfied party workers are abstaining from election duties, to express their anger. "This is politically impossible. Both parties have separate ideologies and way of functioning. If this was to happen then both parties wouldn't have filed nominations from all seats. This is just a rumour and nothing else," a BJP leader said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}